Saturday, May 13, 2006
Village-based disaster coordinating council mulled
By Roberto L. Bacasong
BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia disclosed Friday the creation of a barangay-based disaster coordinating council.
Leonardia said he met with Cesar Villa, head of the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC), and the Bacolod Rescue Unit to discuss preparations for the rainy season as well as emergency measures for any disaster caused by heavy rains.
The mayor also assured that the city has an allocated budget for calamities.
"Let's hope that nothing will happen to the people of Bacolod. But we should prepare in what the possibilities may come," Leonardia said.
Villa said the creation of the barangay-level disaster council is mandated under the program of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
He said the DILG urged all local government units (LGU) in the country to implement the Local Governance Performance Management System from the national level down to the barangay.
"All LGUs should comply with this under Presidential Decree 1566," Villa said.
Villa added that the seven indicators to check the LGUs' compliance on said presidential decree are governance, administration, economics, social services, environment, peace and security disaster preparedness.
But, he said the mayor advised them to focus more on the 13 barangays in Bacolod identified as flood-prone areas.
These areas include barangays Bata, Banago, Mandalagan, Singcang Airport, Punta Taytay, Handumanan, Villamonte, Montevista, and Estefania.
Of the 13 identified flood-prone areas, Villa said, they will focus on Singcang-Airport because its Lupit River usually overflows during heavy rains.
Villa said they have already issued an advisory to these barangays since last month.
But, so far, he said only five villages responded to their letter. These are Punta Taytay, Tangub, Sum-ag, Taculing, and Pahanocoy.
"We want the people to know that the CDCC is visible especially in times of any disaster incident," said Villa.
He also assured that all rescue units and the concerned sectors, including the Department of Education, City Health Office, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, are ready to respond anytime.
(May 13, 2006 issue)
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